The Riverside County Board of Supervisors appointed Darlene Wetton, Temecula Valley Hospital (TVH) CEO, to the Riverside County Workforce Development Board (WDB) effective April 12, 2016. The WDB has sought local health care leaders to serve on the WDB and regional ad hoc committees. Darlene is an expert in healthcare workforce needs and her appointment will further the WDB’s efforts in the healthcare sector. There has been significant, continued growth at TVH which highlights the need for future workforce development in this expanding sector of Southwest Riverside County.
Darlene has served as the CEO of Temecula Valley Hospital since September 2012. Before joining TVH, Darlene held leadership positions as a Chief Operating Officer and as a Chief Nursing Officer in hospitals within Southern California. Under Darlene’s leadership, the entire employee and medical staff of Temecula Valley Hospital are committed to providing patient-centered, family sensitive care.
Since its opening, TVH has been a significant economic driving force in the region with the creation of over 670 new jobs, with each job supporting an additional 2.1 jobs. Now in its third year of operation, it has continued to be an economic catalyst for the Temecula Parkway corridor. With patients and residual service provider visitations, spurred retail growth has emerged to service the increased daytime population. In the last 12 months, the Temecula Parkway corridor has seen a 1.56% rise in sales tax revenue provided by the increased retail and restaurant demand. Additionally, new retail uses on Temecula Parkway continue to develop with current applications for a 37,000 square foot national gym tenant, 2 fast food restaurants, one sit down restaurant and a quick serve automated car wash.
Development of medical office space remains strong with over 92,000 square feet of medical office space constructed in the past year, and another 54,000 square feet is planned to be built along with a 67,000 square foot nursing and memory care facility in close proximity to the hospital.
Darlene earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from California State University Dominguez Hills and is a summa cum laude graduate with a Master’s in Business Administration from Webster University.
Darlene serves as Chairwoman of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Riverside County and is a member of the Board for the South Riverside County American Heart Association Heart and Stroke Walk. She is a native Californian and is a resident of the City of Temecula.
Darlene stated, “I hope my appointment to the Workforce Development Board will further workforce efforts and increase opportunities for partnerships with businesses, community-based organizations, and educational institutions. I am honored to be a part of this board.”
Temecula Valley Hospital is located at 31700 Temecula Parkway, and brings advanced technology, innovative programs, patient-centered and family sensitive care to area residents. As the region’s newest acute care facility, the hospital features 140 private patient rooms, 24 hour a day emergency care, advanced cardiac and stroke care, orthopedics and general medical care and surgical specialties. For more information on Temecula Valley Hospital can be found at www.temeculavalleyhospital.com.